Watch| Ayatollah Khamenei Warns of More Attacks on US Bases in First Statement After Strike

In his initial public statements since the Iran-Israel ceasefire, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sent a warning to the United States, stating that any subsequent American attacks would lead to retaliation against US military bases in the Middle East.

The 86-year-old leader made a pre-recorded appearance on state television Thursday, delivering a speech from a secret indoor location. The Iranian national flag and a picture of late Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini stood behind him.

The Islamic Republic hit America in the face. It attacked one of the key American bases in the region," Khamenei said in reference to Iran's recent missile attack on a U.S. facility in Qatar during the 12-day war.

Declaring a strategic victory, Khamenei dismissed President Donald Trump's bully tactics and reasserted Iran's willingness to retaliate against American interests in the region. He characterized having the capacity to attack U.S. military bases as a turning point, one he implied could be replicated if provoked.

Asked on Wednesday whether the U.S. would respond if Iran reconstructed its nuclear enrichment program, Trump merely said, "sure." Western powers have long been worried about Iran's drive for nuclear power, although Iranian authorities have repeatedly claimed not to seek weapons.

Khamenei minimized the harm inflicted by recent U.S. air strikes on Iran's nuclear capabilities, saying the strikes were symbolically motivated. He insisted that Washington's primary goal was to protect Israel, following Iranian missiles' ability to penetrate Israel's missile defense systems.

He further berated Trump's focus on using enormous 30,000-pound bombs, describing such exhibitions as "theatrical" and intended for optics, not actual military impact.

Following the ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared “a historic victory,” asserting that Israel had succeeded in neutralizing Tehran’s missile and nuclear capabilities. In response to Khamenei’s speech, Netanyahu posted a photo of himself with Trump on social media, captioned: “We will continue to work together to defeat our common enemies.”